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Economy of North Macedonia vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

North Macedonia has a GDP of $19.1B compared to $100B for Serbia, ranking 137/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

North Macedonia has $10B in government debt (52.5% of GDP), compared to $42.4B (42.4% of GDP) in Serbia.

North Macedonia vs Serbia GDP by year

North Macedonia
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
North Macedonia Serbia
2025 $19,101,199,817 $99,953,324,473
2024 $16,951,682,221 $90,088,366,320
2023 $15,855,131,189 $81,343,999,280
2022 $13,932,436,550 $66,809,895,701
2021 $14,000,283,827 $66,159,884,073
2020 $12,361,036,914 $55,874,017,669
2019 $12,606,338,449 $53,864,693,665
2018 $12,683,068,114 $52,787,520,249
2017 $11,307,067,070 $45,972,834,714
2016 $10,672,467,073 $42,225,495,910
2015 $10,064,519,963 $41,297,410,635
2014 $11,362,265,253 $49,114,321,280
2013 $10,817,702,346 $50,455,529,604
2012 $9,745,261,301 $45,103,269,969
2011 $10,494,626,768 $51,251,098,408
2010 $9,407,170,321 $43,536,629,233
2009 $9,401,736,825 $46,955,984,410
2008 $9,909,552,435 $54,220,641,202
2007 $8,336,474,974 $44,888,028,946
2006 $6,861,226,972 $33,298,057,362
2005 $6,258,602,873 $28,334,256,181
2004 $5,682,784,472 $26,845,632,342
2003 $4,946,296,599 $23,593,044,418
2002 $4,018,365,747 $17,930,583,571
2001 $3,709,636,031 $13,599,378,662
2000 $3,772,859,034 $7,326,373,882
1999 $3,863,619,285 $20,878,694,851
1998 $3,765,745,023 $21,004,077,441
1997 $3,912,986,091 $27,153,408,995
1996 $4,642,021,256 $23,277,430,168
1995 $4,707,041,315 $17,921,892,655
1994 $3,559,608,640 -
1993 $2,682,456,897 -
1992 $2,436,849,342 -
1991 $4,938,775,510 -
1990 $4,699,646,643 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/north-macedonia/serbia | CC BY

GDP per capita in North Macedonia vs Serbia by year

North Macedonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
North Macedonia Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $10,490 - $15,262 -
2024 $9,292 $26,995 $13,678 $32,832
2023 $8,674 $25,354 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $7,606 $24,212 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $7,621 $22,144 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $6,660 $19,962 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $6,719 $20,223 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $6,714 $18,460 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $5,955 $17,161 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $5,598 $16,458 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $5,263 $15,034 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $5,925 $14,485 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $5,626 $13,663 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $5,050 $12,726 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $5,417 $12,421 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $4,833 $11,992 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $4,800 $11,532 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $5,026 $10,924 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $4,204 $9,639 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $3,440 $8,888 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $3,121 $7,972 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $2,819 $7,229 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $2,445 $6,608 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $1,989 $6,395 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $1,823 $6,051 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $1,862 $6,154 $975 $6,416
1999 $1,915 $5,724 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $1,876 $5,448 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $1,960 $5,227 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $2,307 $5,026 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $2,355 $4,912 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $1,786 $4,880 - -
1993 $1,337 $4,829 - -
1992 $1,199 $5,033 - -
1991 $2,402 $5,207 - -
1990 $2,277 $5,348 - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/north-macedonia/serbia | CC BY

North Macedonia's GDP per capita is $10,490, ranking 86/197, compared to $15,262 in Serbia, ranking 69/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), North Macedonia ranks 78th at $26,995, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

North Macedonia Serbia
Gross domestic product
$19.1B
2025
$100B
2025
GDP rank
137/197
2025
76/197
2025
GDP growth
3.49%
2024-2025
2.03%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$10,490
2025
$15,262
2025
GDP per capita rank
86/197
2025
69/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,995
2024
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
78/197
2024
69/197
2024
Government debt
$10B
2025
$42.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52.5%
2025
42.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,510
2025
$6,478
2025
Government debt per person rank
78/185
2025
75/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,326
2026
$12,492
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$4.06B
2011
Income share by richest 10%
22.9%
2019
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2019
2.5%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.2%
2025
43.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.1%
2024-2025
3.89%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.35%
2025
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
11.5%
2025
7.3%
2025
Population
1811466
6500256

Spending and national debt comparison by year

North Macedonia
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
North Macedonia Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 36.2% 52.5% 43.2% 42.4%
2024 36.1% 52.9% 42.2% 44.1%
2023 35.3% 50.5% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 35% 50.4% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 35.3% 52.7% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 36.4% 50.8% 46% 54.3%
2019 31.4% 40.4% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 30.3% 40.4% 39% 51.1%
2017 31.8% 39.4% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 31.1% 39.7% 40.3% 65%
2015 32.2% 38% 41% 67.1%
2014 31.7% 38% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 31.7% 34% 40.6% 61.2%
2012 33.3% 33.7% 43.3% 58%
2011 31.9% 27.7% 40% 46%
2010 32.5% 24.3% 41.2% 42.4%
2009 33.6% 23.7% 41.1% 35.3%
2008 33.8% 20.6% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 31.4% 23.5% 40.6% 30%
2006 31.5% 30.6% 41.3% 37%
2005 32.5% 36.7% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 34.1% 34.6% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 36% 36.5% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 38.2% 40.5% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 37.4% 45.2% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 32% 45.6% 28% 200.6%
1999 32.5% 29.8% - -
1998 32.2% 33.1% - -
1997 32.3% 29.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/north-macedonia/serbia | CC BY

In 2025, North Macedonia's government spending was $6.91B, accounting for 36.2% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $43.2B, or 43.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52.5% in North Macedonia and 42.4% in Serbia, ranking 97/185 and 123/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
North Macedonia

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
North Macedonia Serbia
2025 -4.01% -2.21%
2024 -4.38% -1.73%
2023 -4.59% -1.21%
2022 -5.23% -0.14%
2021 -5.32% -3.16%
2020 -8.05% -6.91%
2019 -1.97% -0.004%
2018 -1.76% 0.78%
2017 -2.73% 1.32%
2016 -2.7% -1.08%
2015 -3.48% -3.25%
2014 -4.19% -5.61%
2013 -3.84% -4.79%
2012 -3.81% -6.11%
2011 -2.47% -3.75%
2010 -2.41% -3.35%
2009 -2.63% -3.3%
2008 -0.93% -4.25%
2007 0.58% -0.8%
2006 -0.51% -0.9%
2005 0.21% 1.02%
2004 0.37% 0.06%
2003 -0.07% -2.39%
2002 -5.24% -2.33%
2001 -5.88% 0.32%
2000 2.37% -0.15%
1999 0.03% -
1998 -1.59% -
1997 -0.35% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/north-macedonia/serbia | CC BY

In 2025, North Macedonia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $766M, equivalent to 4.01% of GDP. This compares to Serbia's deficit of $2.21B, or 2.21% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, North Macedonia recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, North Macedonia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
North Macedonia

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
North Macedonia Serbia
2025 4.1% 3.89%
2024 3.5% 4.67%
2023 9.4% 12.4%
2022 14.2% 12%
2021 3.2% 4.09%
2020 1.2% 1.58%
2019 0.8% 1.85%
2018 1.5% 1.96%
2017 1.4% 3.13%
2016 -0.2% 1.12%
2015 -0.2% 1.39%
2014 -0.3% 2.08%
2013 2.8% 7.69%
2012 3.3% 7.33%
2011 3.9% 11.1%
2010 1.5% 6.14%
2009 -0.8% 8.12%
2008 7.2% 12.4%
2007 2.8% 6.39%
2006 3.3% 11.7%
2005 0% 16.1%
2004 -0.4% 11%
2003 1.1% 9.88%
2002 1.7% 19.5%
2001 5.1% 95%
2000 6.6% 71.1%
1999 -1.3% 42.5%
1998 0.5% 30.2%
1997 1.3% 23.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/north-macedonia/serbia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, North Macedonia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.66%, compared with 15.2% in Serbia. In 2025, inflation was 4.1% in North Macedonia and 3.89% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

North Macedonia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $204M
Chemicals & pharma $176M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $173M
Metals $129M
Machinery & equipment $82.4M
Raw agricultural goods $50.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $28M
Animal & marine products $19.1M
Wood & paper products $19.1M
Miscellaneous $1.93M
Serbia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $235M
Machinery & equipment $215M
Raw materials & minerals $180M
Chemicals & pharma $174M
Metals $123M
Textiles & consumer goods $88.4M
Raw agricultural goods $66.3M
Animal & marine products $57.7M
Wood & paper products $51.3M
Weapons & explosives $2.38M

Balance of trade

North Macedonia Serbia
Current account balance
-$815M
2025
-$4.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
112/190
2025
164/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.27%
2025
-4.9%
2025
Goods imports
$11.7B
2025
$44B
2025
Goods exports
$7.87B
2025
$36.7B
2025
Service imports
$2.4B
2025
$14.6B
2025
Service exports
$3.55B
2025
$17.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
73.4%
2025
58.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
59.6%
2025
54.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

North Macedonia Serbia
Economic freedom 63.3 65
Economic freedom ranking 81/197 68/197
Property rights 56.2 57.2
Government integrity 43.2 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 49.5 50.1
Tax burden 94.9 88
Government spending 61.7 48.2
Fiscal health 57.7 94.3
Business freedom 72.2 73.6
Labor freedom 51.4 61.8
Monetary freedom 69.6 73
Trade freedom 77.8 76.6
Investment freedom 65 70
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

North Macedonia
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
North Macedonia Serbia
2026 63.3 65
2025 63.2 64.4
2024 61.4 62.7
2023 63.7 63.5
2022 65.7 65.2
2021 68.6 67.2
2020 69.5 66
2019 71.1 63.9
2018 71.3 62.5
2017 70.7 58.9
2016 67.5 62.1
2015 67.1 60
2014 68.6 59.4
2013 68.2 58.6
2012 68.5 58
2011 66 58
2010 65.7 56.9
2009 61.2 56.6
2008 61.1 -
2007 60.6 -
2006 59.2 -
2005 56.1 -
2004 56.8 -
2003 60.1 43.5
2002 58 46.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/north-macedonia/serbia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for North Macedonia is 63.3, ranking 81/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

North Macedonia Serbia
Services, % of GDP
57%
2025
59.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.1%
2025
22.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.98%
2025
3.29%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$17.3B
2025
$88.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,680
2025
$31,780
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.8B
2025
$34.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
98/177
2025
55/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$276M
2025
-$2.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.06B
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$64.9M
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.59%
2024
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.9%
2023
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
2025
23.4%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/north-macedonia/serbia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.